Game feeder

Abstract

A collapsible game feeder apparatus having a feed cavity supported by three or more collapsible leg members wherein the leg members include a fixed member with respect to the feed cavity and a collapsible member that collapses about a pivot point with respect to the fixed member. The fixed member extends below a feed distributor when the apparatus is configured in the collapsed mode such that the feed distributor is protected from the ground and general stresses and strains. The game feed may also be provided with one or more straps enabling easy transportation by a single user to and from remote game areas.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A game feeder apparatus configurable between a collapsed mode and a deployed mode, said game feeder apparatus comprising:
 a feed cavity comprising:
 a top end; 
 a bottom end; 
 a perimeter sidewall extending from the top end to the bottom end and thereby forming a cavity; and 
 an egress aperture positioned in the bottom end; 
 
 a feed distributor secured to the feed cavity proximate the egress aperture; and 
 a plurality of legs, wherein each leg in the plurality of legs comprises:
 a fixed member secured to the feed cavity comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the fixed member extends below the feed distributor and wherein the distal end of the fixed member comprises a collapsed mode bracket comprising a pin aperture fixed with respect to the fixed member; and 
 a collapsible member comprising:
 a proximal end rotatably fixed with respect to the proximal end of the fixed member at a pivot point; and 
 a distal end comprising an outwardly spring-biased thumb pin corresponding to the pin aperture, 
 
 
 
       wherein the collapsible member is rotatable about the pivot point between a folded position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the collapsed mode and an extended position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the deployed mode. 
     
     
       2. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feed cavity further comprises an ingress aperture positioned in the top end and a lid removably secured at the ingress aperture. 
     
     
       3. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot point for each leg in the plurality of legs is fixed with respect to a pivot bracket secured to the proximal end of the fixed member. 
     
     
       4. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the pivot bracket further comprises a pivot bracket aperture, and 
 wherein the proximal end of the collapsible member comprises an outwardly spring-biased thumb pin corresponding to the pivot bracket aperture. 
 
     
     
       5. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one leg in the plurality of legs further comprises at least two shoulder strap attachment points and a shoulder strap secured between the at least two shoulder strap attachment points. 
     
     
       6. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shoulder strap secured between a first shoulder strap attachment point and a second shoulder strap attachment point. 
     
     
       7. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hanging mounts secured with respect to the feed cavity from which said game feeder apparatus is suspendable. 
     
     
       8. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate secured at the bottom end of the feed cavity, wherein the feed distributor is secured to the feed cavity via the mounting plate. 
     
     
       9. A game feeder apparatus configurable between a collapsed mode and a deployed mode, said game feeder apparatus comprising:
 a feed cavity comprising:
 a top end; 
 a bottom end; 
 a perimeter sidewall extending from the top end to the bottom end and thereby forming a cavity; and 
 an egress aperture positioned in the bottom end; 
 
 a feed distributor secured to the feed cavity proximate the egress aperture; 
 a plurality of legs, wherein each leg in the plurality of legs comprises:
 a fixed member secured to the feed cavity comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the fixed member extends below the feed distributor and wherein the distal end of the fixed member comprises a collapsed mode bracket comprising a pin aperture fixed with respect to the fixed member; and 
 a collapsible member comprising:
 a proximal end rotatably fixed with respect to the proximal end of the fixed member at a pivot point; and 
 a distal end comprising an outwardly spring-biased thumb pin corresponding to the pin aperture; and 
 
 
 a means for rotating the collapsible member of each leg in the plurality of legs between a folded position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the collapsed mode and an extended position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the deployed mode. 
 
     
     
       10. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the feed cavity further comprises an ingress aperture positioned in the top end and a lid removably secured at the ingress aperture. 
     
     
       11. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the means for rotating the collapsible member of each leg in the plurality of legs between a folded position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the collapsed mode and an extended position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the deployed mode comprises a pivot bracket comprising a pivot bracket aperture, and wherein the proximal end of the collapsible member comprises an outwardly spring-biased thumb pin corresponding to the pivot bracket aperture. 
     
     
       12. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one shoulder strap secured between a first shoulder strap attachment point and a second shoulder strap attachment point. 
     
     
       13. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the collapsible member for each leg in the plurality of legs further comprises a telescoping portion wherein a length of the collapsible member is extendable. 
     
     
       14. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more hanging mounts secured with respect to the feed cavity from which said game feeder apparatus is suspendable. 
     
     
       15. The game feeder apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a mounting plate secured at the bottom end of the feed cavity, wherein the feed distributor is secured to the feed cavity via the mounting plate. 
     
     
       16. A game feeder apparatus configurable between a collapsed mode and a deployed mode, said game feeder apparatus comprising:
 a feed cavity comprising:
 a top end; 
 a bottom end; 
 a perimeter sidewall extending from the top end to the bottom end and thereby forming a cavity; 
 an ingress aperture positioned in the top end; 
 a lid removably secured at the ingress aperture; and 
 an egress aperture positioned in the bottom end; 
 
 a feed distributor secured to the feed cavity proximate the egress aperture; 
 a first leg comprising:
 a first fixed member secured to the perimeter sidewall of the feed cavity comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the first fixed member extends below the feed distributor and wherein the first fixed member is fixed with respect to the feed cavity; and 
 a first collapsible member comprising:
 a proximal end rotatably fixed with respect to the proximal end of the first fixed member at a first pivot point; and 
 a distal end; 
 
 
 a second leg comprising:
 a second fixed member secured to the perimeter sidewall of the feed cavity comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second fixed member extends below the feed distributor and wherein the second fixed member is fixed with respect to the feed cavity; and 
 a second collapsible member comprising:
 a proximal end rotatably fixed with respect to the proximal end of the second fixed member at a second pivot point; and 
 
 a distal end; 
 
 a third leg comprising:
 a third fixed member secured to the perimeter sidewall of the feed cavity comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the third fixed member extends below the feed distributor and wherein the third fixed member is fixed with respect to the feed cavity; and 
 a third collapsible member comprising:
 a proximal end rotatably fixed with respect to the proximal end of the third fixed member at a third pivot point; and 
 a distal end, 
 
 
 at least one shoulder strap secured between a first shoulder strap attachment point and a second shoulder strap attachment point; 
 one or more hanging mounts secured with respect to the feed cavity from which said game feeder apparatus is suspendable; and 
 a first, second and third telescoping portion for each of the first, second and third collapsible members, respectively, wherein a length of the collapsible member is extendable, 
 
       wherein the first collapsible member is rotatable about the first pivot point, the second collapsible member is rotatable about the second pivot point and the third collapsible member is rotatable about the third pivot point, to a folded position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the collapsed mode and an extended position to configure the game feeder apparatus in the deployed mode.